Overcoming embarrassment in humorous narratives among Pakistani young men: A case study

Abstract

This case study illustrates the use of humor support strategies by Pakistani young men in their conversation to overcome embarrassment and construct and maintain a humorous discursive frame. The present research draws on video recordings of Pakistani university young men’s conversation, analyzed using Hay’s framework of humor support strategies in relation to the pragmatic implicatures of full support. The findings reveal that laughter, overlaps, contributing more humor, repetition and contradicting self-deprecation are among the most prominent humor support strategies. These strategies not only indicate heightened involvement in the conversation but also serve to release the tension of being embarrassed. The study concludes that humor support is a coping strategy used by Pakistani young men for the release of the pressure of being in an awkward position and to open up space for the construction of humorous discourse.